THE Queen and nearly 100 of her 80th birthday "twins" celebrated their octogenarian milestones yesterday at Buckingham Palace.

Ninety-nine pensioners who, like the Queen, arrived in the world on April 21, 1926, gathered for a special lunch in the plush ballroom.

They included Hilda Alexandra Price from Dinas Powys, near Cardiff.

"It's absolutely my lifelong ambition to be here and I told the Queen," she said.

"She just smiled and asked where I was from, and I said Cardiff.

"She had just been there to open the Welsh Assembly and she thought Cardiff was looking very beautiful.

"I followed her all my life. I'm a royalist and I love her to death. I've had a very privileged life and a wonderful one. I was a clergy- man's wife."

Mrs Price praised the monarch for working in her 80th year. "I feel for the Queen. She has just been abroad. I couldn't do it."

The Queen, who seemed emotional during her speech, with her voice wavering slightly as she spoke about the memories and the support from families and friends over the years, welcomed her guests and gave thanks for their health and happiness.

"I am very pleased to welcome you all to Buckingham Palace for this early birthday lunch," she said.

"On this special occasion I believe we can and should count our blessings.

"I doubt whether any of us would say the last 80 years has been plain sailing, but we can give thanks for our health and happiness, the support we receive from our families and friends, some wonderful memories and the excitement each new day brings.

"Thank you for coming today and I hope all those of you who are my exact twins will make the most of our special day on Friday.